These work categories, I call games of work, are thrown about in many areas as if they are the same or so similar that they could be treated the same. But they have very distinct differences that are very important to know and understand. They are very unique work situations with different conditions and different rules of success. Knowing and understanding the real differences and their unique rules of success is critical to survival and success to anyone working in each of these three career categories.

Players of these games of work who clearly understand and follow the rules of success of the game they are playing and who have the talents, desires and commitment to develop the skills to win, almost always prosper. They fit their personal passions, talents, priorities and beliefs with the game that best suits them. Just like a man who is 6 feet 8 inches tall, loves to run, jump and use his hands and body in a very active physical manner would certainly find a very good fit in the game of basketball versus trying to fit into the game of being a horse jockey.

Let’s look at the above three games of work, their rules to success and their differences more closely. I have created a series of three blogs discussing each of these three games of work in this order

Independent Contractor or Partial Entrepreneur
Business owner
Entrepreneur (business owner wanna be)

This blog discusses the Independent contractor

Independent Contractor or Partial Entrepreneur

An Independent contractor or partial entrepreneur is someone who is paid for what he or she does. A doctor is paid for performing medical actions. A dentist is paid for working on teeth. A consultant is paid for actually consulting. A personal coach is paid for conducting coaching sessions. A fully commissioned sales person is only paid from the commissions earned from closed sales. Those professional athletes who are paid based upon their performance, like tennis and golf players are independent contractors. Many entertainers are independent contractors. They are paid for the entertainment performances they provide.

Here are the rules for success of an independent contractor.

1. If independent contractors do not perform their specific trade or service, they are not paid.

2. Independent contractors are totally responsible for their themselves, their work, their results, and their operations.

3. Independent contractors are normally experts and specialists in their chosen field or trade. They normally obtain special training, education, certifications, and sometimes licensing to prove their qualifications as the expert. They are paid for their expertise, their expert advice, and for conducting their expert services.

4. The independent contractors are the king or queen of the operation. They are the center of attention. They are the income producing entity.

5. Independent contractors can choose the type of expert they want to be. They can get the training to be a lawyer or dentist. But once they enter a field they are restricted to having to personally provide the basic expertise, or services that they offer. The real legal work must be eventually be conducted by the lawyer. The real dental work must eventually be performed by the dentist. The golf shot must eventually taken by the golf pro.

6. Independent contractors want to surround themselves with people and resources who will enhance their ability to perform their specific trade or service more effectively, more often, and more efficiently. The independent contractors will want these people and resources to take care of administrative requirements collections, paperwork and reporting requirements, and other activities that divert from the actual performance of the specific trade or service of the independent contractors. Their functions are to make it easier for the king or queen independent contractor to perform better.

7. Independent contractors are normally limited in the amount of income they can generate. They only have so many hours in the day. They will normally be restricted by competition for the amounts they charge, which is usually by the hour, but not always. But some have very high limits, like professional sports players, or actors. But even Tiger Woods is physically limited in the number of tournaments he can enter. Tiger Woods and other star athletes and actors increase their income by selling their personality, and reputations by endorsing products or participating in advertisements. Yet, they remain the center of attention as the only real income producing entity.